Bow socket and like article



Dec. 27, 1927.

F. K- LEWIS ET AL BOW SOCKET A ND LIKE ARTICLE Filed May 10, 1924 25 INVENTOR 771x277?- LeWzLs and BY Zymr Z. 5041727.?

ATTORNZZZ? fill Patented 27, 1927,

FRED K. LEWIS AIQTD L TAEULA 159W fiOtIlKET GO PATENT OFFICE.

,SIGNOREB TO THE ASH FORMATION OF OHIO.

BOW EClCKIil'LlC .tllhlllfi LIME ALlItTlJIIlLE.

Application filed May 10,

In toldable vehicle tops, and more especially such tops for autou'ioliiles, which constitute the prevailing type of vehicle at present in use, the top covering: nroner srnoported on. a series of bows nivotally at tacl'ied to the vehicle body on either side or to each other, so as to be capable of being; :lfolded into a more or less con'inact stacli along with the cover material. The bone in question are oi? various construction. but in the prevailing type the I'GSPQC'tlVO side members of the bow consist of tapering metal tubes, into the outer, larger ends ol which the endso't a U-shaped Wooden bow proper are driven, While for the purpose of attachment to the vehicle body or to another bow, so-called irons are fitted in the smaller ends of such tubular bow sockets, these irons being suitably apertured to receive the bolts that term the pivot pins at the points oil attachi'oeut of the bow. In order to noes sufficient strength, such irons are ordinarily made in the term of torgings, thus addinn; considerably to the n'ianuttacturijng cost of the bow sochet, such cost being;' further increased by the HQCQESSll-y t brazing or welds iug the irons to the ends oi the tubes. Eluch irons turthcrinore add appreciably to the Weight of the top structure.

The object of the present lllr'QillLlOl'l iu to provide a bow socket oil? the general constr1n3- tion just described in which, however, the necessity for time fitting the smaller ends ot the sockets with (separate irons, tor the pro:- pose stated, entirely done away "h. instead "he end oi? the tube i'tselil'i is so itashioned as to be sulliciently rigid and sulistantie]. to carry the entire strain of the load iin- POSGd on the assembled how when attached to the vehicle body, as well as to atlford an adequate liiearing tor the pivot pin that forms the means for thus attaching sun-h bow.

To the accomplishment ot the foregoing and relz'ited ends, the invcntioin them con-- sists of the means hereina'tli. "ulgly de:=: -rihcd and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the tollouing: scription s-zcttio torth in detail certainnicclu anii-nn embodying; the invention, such di closed ineans eons ituting, he "ever, but qrcral of the various mechanical tor-nu. in which the principle of: the invention may he used.

In said annexed drawing 1924. Serial. No. 'ZJLSLLM].

Fig.- .l. is a side elevation of end of a bow socliet embodying our present improvml constrimtion; Fin. is a trauswn'se section oil such bow socket as tor crtannile a section talren on the plane ft-(t, Fig. 1, although save in the matter of diameter it represents the section at any point to the right of such plane, as Well as a section taliten on the plane 5 7), in the initial state of the socket, i. e, before the corresponding; portion of the socket has been flattened, as shown in succeeding figures; Fig. 2 is a sectional t'lOW similar to Fig. t-rating a slightly modified construction; Figs. 3, 5, 4-, 5. 6 and 7 represent sections of the flattened portion oil? the bow socket illustrated in Fig; l and may be regarded. as taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-4), just referred to said figures respectively illustrating; dillerent n'iethoda oi? told ing; the side walls of the original circular socket tube in order thus to give the latter desired flattened jtOllifli; liig 8 i an end elevation of a socket tube prior to its being thus flattened and 'illiiistratcs a modification in construction whereby the end. is closed otter the flattening; operation; Fig. 9 ilhiist'atcs the end. ol the tube shown in Fig. 8 after such flattening operation; Fig. 10 a broken longitiulinal section o'l such end, the plane oi. the section being;- indicated by the line l0-10, Fin. 9; Fig. 11 is a V'lQ/W, similar to that oi Fig. 8, but showing still a ditterent construction; Fig. 1.2 is an end View showing such modified construction of SOChTGll tube in its flattened condition; i 13 a side elevation, similar to that ol ,1 l, but illus tratinn; a special form ojt ho socket end, viz, one designed to be pivotally attached to another bow socket; Fin. 14; is a section oit such last mentioned special :torn'i of socket the plane of the section being indicated by the line kl-14, Fig. la; Fig.7 15 is a side eleratimi oi? a socket end s iecially designed for use in still another situation, i e, Where such and is iivotally attached to a swing arm a in a so-callcd e'irticulated ou'lri or how; I k 16 is a tinnsrerse section or f-i'llCll last mentioned socl 'et end the plane at the ection being; indicated by the line 1\l---'lt3, .l k 15; liigg. if is a broken side elevation, on a larger scale, of a socket end showing; the manner in which. a hole of relativelylarge diameter is provided, such as required Where the socket end is fastened the smaller 2, but illusll all to the body iron of the car; and Fig. 18 is a transverse section of such last mentioned socket end, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 1818, Fig. 17.

Our improved socket comprises a main tubular body 1 (Fig. 2), which will ordinarily be of generally tapering form, as hereinbefore explained. Such body is formed from an elongated piece or strip of sheet metal which is bent into circular form, the juxtaposed edges being secured together by means of a lock seam 2, or in other approved fashion. Depending upon the gauge of the sheet metal employed in making body member 1, it maybe desirable to reinforce the tube with one 'or more liners 3, one such liner only being illustrated. This liner. like body member 1, is formed of sheet metal, bent or rolled into tubular form. but itv unnecessary that it have its juxtaposed edges secured together. On the contrary. a slight clearance will be left between such edges as the result of forcing the liner into close fitting contact with the main tubular body 1. Such liner, however. is either formed with a longitudinally extending depression 4, corresponding with the inwardl 7 projecting portion of scam 2 so as to interlock therewith, as shown in Fig. 2, or else such liner is disposed with one edge on each side of the seam (see Fig. 2), whereby'the same interlocking effect is secured.

It has already been explained that in order to form the smaller end of our bow socket for attachment purposes, whether to the vehicle body or to another how, the tube is suitably flattened adjacent such end (see Fig. 1). The flattening is preferably graduated, the walls of the tube being brought into the substantially contacting relation. shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive. only at the extremity of the end portion of the tubular socket.

The several figures last referred to illustrate as many different ways in which the metal may be folded for the purpose of thus flattening the tube, it being understood that the walls of the latter will be initially formed with longitudinally extending V- shaped indentations along the lines of the desired folds, following which such ends are passed between rollers or subjected to the action of dies which cause the tube to collapse and assume the desired flat, cross-see tional form. In Fig. 2 the flattened effect is obtained by producing two inwardly directed folds 5 at diametrically opposite points in the tube, these being symmetrically located with respect to scam 2 and becoming gradually shallower as they recede from the extremity of the tube until they entirely disappear at points a trifle to the left of the section line aa, as shown in said Fig. 1. Otherwise stated, each fold increases gradually in depth as it approaches such tube extremity. In order that the width of the flattened portion of the tube may not be greater than the diameter of the adjacent unflattened portion, rounded V-shapcd lands or extensions 5 are left projecting on each side between the respective folds 5. In the form shown in Fig. l. one told .3. located as just described, is employed. but the second fold (i is located more closely adjacent such seam 2 so as to lie on one of the Hat sides of the finished article instead of in the edge thereof as in the case of such folds 5. In Fig. 5 both folds 6 are in the Hat side of: the article closely adjacent the seam :2. In Fig. 6 a single fold 7 is employed, the position thereof being similar to that ol the fold 6 in Fig. l, but the tube thus flattened may be of thicker section, and a wood tiller 9 may be inserted in order to give additional rigidity. The section is likewise thicker in the case of the construction shown in Fig. 7 where a single deeper fold S is formed in the one edge of the tubular body, the section of the latter after being flattened being vcry nearly as thin as in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. This form of construction is particuhn'ly desirable where the cnd of the bow socket requires to be of curved form. In such case the socket may be bent with the edge ha ring fold 8 on the inside. i. 0.. the concave ride of the curve. or the reverse.

lVhere the flattened side walls are brought substantially into contact with each other. as shown in Figs. 3, 1 and :3. lhc end of the socket may be finished off by being rounded to the form shown in Fig. 1. the mclal ot' the main tubular body and the liner. it any, being incidentally con'lpacted together to substantially close off any opening therebetwecn. A hole 10 may then be drilled through the respective flattened side walls for the purpose of attaching the socket to its proper support. In (use the side walls are not brought; sufliciently closely together to permit the finished eflcct in the manncr just described, the construction illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12. inclusive. may be employed. The llIlGl 3, it will here be observed. has struck up integrally with its end and adjacent its juxtaposed edges two complementary filler or rather closure elements 11. The form and disposition of these is such that when the tubular body and such linrr are collapsed. using two folds 5 in the respective edges of the body just as shown in Fig. 3, these elements 11, may be bent inwardly so as to completely close oil" the opening between the walls of the tubular body. In Figs. 11 and 12 the tiller elements IQ arc of different form in order to adapt them siniilarly to close the end of the socket where the latter is provided with two folds (i in one of its flat sides adjacent seam 2, as shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 13 and 14 show the end, of a how luu ill?

lie

socket constructed. in accordance with the present invention and specially adapted tor attachment, through the medium of a bracket or clamp 16, to another bow socket 17 that constitutes the support or the first socket. In the extended condition of: the top in which this particular arrangement of how sockets is designed to be employed, the sockets will incline with respect to the horizontal and to each other substantially as shown in Fig. 13, and it is desirable that the socket 15 be locked against further downward, i. e. clockwise, movement. ith this in view, the hole 18 in such socket end, through which passes the rivet 19 \i hereby the socket is secured to the clamp 16, is drilled to one side of the median line of such socket and the portion of the tubular body lying on the other side of such median line, instead of: being folded inwardly, is flattened so as to project outwardly and form a stop 20 that rests against the base of the clamp 16 when the top is extended.

A somewhat similar ellect may be obtained in forming the socket for an outrigger bow Where the latter is carried by swing arm pivotally attached to a main supporting bow. A lock joint is here necessary between the inner end of the outrigger bow socket and the corresponding arin. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the tubular body that enters into such outrigger bow socket 2.2 is slightly curved or bent upwardly and the opening 23, through which is passed the pin or rivet that secures such socket end to the swing arm 25, is located to one side 01 the median line of the socket. As in the previously described construction, the flattened tubular body lying on the other side 0f such median line forms a stop 26 that is adapted to abut against a shoulder 27 on the swing arm, thereby forl'ning in eliiect a rule joint. Here, however, the extension that tor-ins such stop is folded inwardly to produce a told 28, as shown in Fig. 16, instead 0t being flattened outwardly, and no told is utilized in the other edge of the flattened tubular body that constitutes the socket end.

In Figs. 17 and 18 we show how a hole of relatively large diameter may be formed in a socket end of our improved type. In the case of the main how. the sockets that carry the same are attached directly to the vehicle hodygand the body iron, by which they are thus carried, ordinarily requires a halt inch hole in the socket end. Accordingly, in order to asruu'e an adequate bearing, we drill an opening 30 oil desired large diameter in the scaniml side oi? the flattened socket end, i. e., in the side in which is found the seam 2, it being preterred that the flattening be ettected by using two folds 5 in the respective edges of the socket just as in the form illustrated in Fig. 3. he comparatively small hole 31 is next drilled in the opposite "flat side of thesocket end, as shown in dotted outline in Figs. 17 and 18, such hole being coaxial with hole 30. 'llhereupon the metal surrounding such hole 31. is bent or l'orced in- \vardly so as to form the side *alls 32 oil the completed opening. An adequate hearing surface thus providrwl between the socket:- and the body iron, as is desirable, since in the case oi such main bow, substantially the entire weight of the top may re quire to be carried by such body irons.

From the :t'oregoing description, it will be seen that our .iniiprm'ed constriuri.ion of how socket is adaptable to lit substantially all the requirements met with in vehicle top assemblies. lhc necessity for the use oil? socket irons thus entirely done away with. while at the same time nothing is sacrificed in the way of rigidity or strength since the flattened ends of the tubular socket body, where folded in the manner hereinbeliore described, have been found by actual test to be superior to the old fashioned composite construction. \Vith the proper eduipn'ient o'l dies. moreover, our improved type 0! how socket is much less (nipensive to mauutlzmture than the former constructiim, while the resulting product. presents a neater a ipmirance and is capable ol receiving a better finish.

The respective ends oi? such bow are to all intents and purposes bow-sockets. such as herein described, and may be fashioned integrally from the tube in exact] y the same way.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any oil" the fol-- lowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means he eni iiloyed.

Vi e therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 1. As a new article ot' inanu'l acturc, a. structural member for vehicle tops and the like. coniprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a 'ieriloration thcrethrough and an inwardly directed longitiulinal told on eluded from such pertoration.

As a new article oi? manujl acturc, a

structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular portion and an attacl'nnent end having flattened parullel alls with a perforation therethrough and an inwardly directed longitudinal told. lying in one edge of such flattened portion and ef-icluded from such perforation.

3. As a new article oi niauuitacture, a. structural member tor vehicle tops and the like, comprising a. tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel Hill Ill)

walls with a perforation therethrough and two inwardly directed longitudinal folds outside such perforation,

4'. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforation therethrough and two inwardly directed longitudinal folds lying in the edges of such flattened portion and outside such perforation.

5. As a new article of manufacture. a structural member for vehicle tops and the like comprising a metal tube formed adjacent its attachment end with two diametrically opposite, inwardly directed, longitudinal folds, the co-extending wall-portions of such tube intermc-niate of such folds being pressed together to v form flat sides and aligned holes being forn'ied in such sides, one such hole'being initially smaller than the other and the metal surrounding such hole being forced inwardly to provide a bearing surface; 6. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising, a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforation tl'icrethrough and an inwardly directed longitudinal fold out side such perforation, and a liner within said tubular portion and flattened attachment end.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, con'iprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls'with a perforation thercthrough and two dian'ietrically opposite inwardly directed longitudinal folds outside such perforation, and a liner within said tubular portion and flattened attachment end.

As a new aticle of manufacture, a structural. element for vehicle tops and the like comprising a longitudinally seamed metal tube, a liner flttedtightly within said tube and engaging the seam thereof, said tube and liner being formed adjacent one end with an inwardly directed, longitudinal fold circumferentially spaced from such seam and the co extending wall-portions of said tube and liner being pressed together to form flat sides. and a closure element integral with the end of said liner and bent inwardly to close any space between such walls, said element being shaped to conform with the seam and fold in said tube.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a structural element for vehicle tops and the like con'iprising a longitudinally seamed metal tube, a liner fitted tightly within said tube and engaging the seam thereof, said tube and liner being formed adjacent one end with two diametrically opposite, in-

wardly directed, longitudinal folds syuunctrically located with respect to such seam and the co-extending wall-portions of said tube and liner intermediate of such folds being pressed together to form flat sides, and :1 closure element integral with the end of said liner and bent inwardly to close any space between such walls, said element being shaped to conform with the seam and the two folds in said tube.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular ortion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforation thcrethrough and. an inwardly directed longitudinal fold outside such perforation, such fold being of greatestdepth at the end and gradually tapering back.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforatioi'i thercthrough and an inwardly directed longitudinal fold lying in one edge of such flattened portion and excluded from such perforation, such fold being of greatest depth at the end and gradually tapering back.

12. As a new article of manufacture a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforation therethrough and two inwardly directed longitudinal folds outside such perforation, such folds beint of greatest depth at the end and gradually tapering back.

13. As a new article of manufacture, a structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a tubular portion and an attachment end having parallel walls with a perforation therethrough, there being V shaped lands between said tubular portion and said attachment end, and two diametrically opposite inwardly directed longitudinal folds lying in the edges of such flattened portion and outside such perforation, such folds being of greatest depth at the end and gradually tapering back.

14. As a new article of manufacture, a

structural member for vehicle tops and the like, comprising a longitudinally seamed tubular portion and an attachment end having flattened parallel walls with a perforation tl'ieretln'ough and an inwardly directed longitudinal fold outside such perforations. and

a. liner within said tubular portion and attachment end having a depression engaging the same.

Signed by us, this 8th day of May, 1924.

FRED K. LEWIS. LYNN L. ROATH. 

